Ardent V Nobby Nic (for traction/cornering)

robinta

I`ve settled on a 2.25 NN as my current rear tire choice but cant decide on a front.

I want something relatively fast rolling, less than 750g max, but able to corner well and give good traction.( The Holy Grail ). I could put another NN on the front but have also considered the Ardent. Does anyone have a direct comparison of the 2 tyres as a front. I was running a 2.2 Spesh Purgatory but found it no better (if not worse) than the NN for cornering with quite a loss in rolling speed. (I also dont like skinny tyres, purely psychological I`m sure but I dont want a narrower tyre on the front than the 2.25 Nobby).

I ride a mixture of surfaces, with a bit of everything other than rocks - I`m also converting alll my tyres to run tubeless with Joes (something which the NN did no problem).

.blitz

What about a 675g 2.4 Snakeskin Nic?

robinta

That would be a good shout but i still wonder how the traction compares with the ardent. Tbh i had originally considered a 2.4 mountain king or 2.25 albert as well ! I like tyres B-)

robertpb

My setup is NN 2.25 front and back, that's a pretty fast combination with lots of grip for changeable weather.

If you want slightly less rolling resistance then it's a Racing Ralf on the back, if you use the ardent put it on the back, NN on the front for best traction.

Speed King is another tyre you could put on the back

robinta

So from your reply, the nobby has more traction than the ardent ?

robertpb

The ardent is a summer tyre whereas the NN is an all weather tyre, so if conditions turn mucky on the ride the NN is better on the front.

Where I ride at the moment there is a lot of nice dry tracks but there is also a lot of mud, the NN copes well with mud, but is still a good roller and light.

I'm going to be riding in the Dales for the next few days on the NN's but I'm also taking my Minions with me as a backup.

nferrar

Ardent is more intermediate than summer